South Korean government deploys 5,831 safety personnel for summer water safety

The South Korean government, led by Kim Kwang‑yong, head of the disaster‑safety bureau, held a meeting on Aug 30 to strengthen water‑related safety for the summer vacation period. A special safety‑management plan runs from June 12 to Aug 17, a month earlier than last year, and will place 5,831 safety personnel at water facilities and high‑risk zones nationwide – an increase of 439 over the previous year. Free life‑jacket rental stations are expanded to 606 locations, up 483 from last year, and dedicated officials are assigned to oversee local safety.

Authorities will intensify patrols of hazardous areas, install additional warning signs, and impose fines for unauthorized entry or swimming without a life jacket. Public‑awareness campaigns will use KTX displays, road billboards, YouTube, and local broadcasts. The government urges the public to wear life jackets, avoid restricted zones, abstain from drinking before swimming, and refrain from night swimming. Kim emphasized that “even small negligence on site directly affects lives, and all agencies must ensure a robust safety system.”